Mr. Stopheles, relaxing in Pocket D's exclusive V.I.P. lounge

From the personal files of Jose Brogan, PPD Detective:

HERO I.D.: Mr. Stopheles
REAL NAME: Unknown
BIRTHPLACE: Unknown
AGE: Unknown
SEX: Male
HEIGHT: 7’ 2”
WEIGHT: 475 lbs.
POWERSOURCE CLASSIFICATION: Magic
TECHNIQUE: Scrapper
KNOWN AFFILIATIONS: Hades Corp. (front for ???), Hellmouth Saints (former), Paladins of the Night (current)

NOTES: The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

…or is he?

Paragon City has seen its fair share of super-powered beings in the last half century, especially with the influx of heroes in the aftermath of the Rikti War. However, few have perplexed or concerned me as much as the one known as Mr. Stopheles.

I first met Stoph (as his associates call him) shortly after the Rikti War, and I admit I was a bit intimidated. His size was quite imposing, and his red skin, horns, and glowing blue eyes didn’t do much to ease my concerns. I’ve seen some weird stuff in my time, and this was far from the strangest. However it was still quite off-putting. Contrary to this, he was nothing but a gentleman and his attire was quite ordinary. Dark blue suit, matching tie, cornflower blue shirt, and Italian leather shoes. He handed me his business card. Like his dress, it was plain and simple:

HADES CORP.
2112 Romero Heights
Astoria, RI 02913

Mr. Stopheles
Associate - Collections Dept.
(401) 555-0218 ext. 666


file photo of Mr. Stopheles in his Romero Heights office

He was quiet and polite, and struck me as a man of few words. However, I got the sense that there was something far more sinister bubbling beneath the surface. He assured me that he would do everything within his power to bring the worst elements of Paragon City under control, which certainly sat well with me and the rest of the PPD.

In the years that have passed since our first meeting, I’ve received occasional updates on Stoph. Shortly after we met, he was heard to be associated with a registered Supergroup called The Hellmouth Saints, most notably their founding members Gangbustah (currently inactive – whereabouts unknown), Elzbet (currently inactive – whereabouts unknown), Juno Seven (currently inactive – whereabouts unknown), and Nol (active duty – The Legion of LiveJournal)¹. With the Saints he most notably helped Positron protect Paragon City’s dam from the Circle of Thorns, Clockwork, and Dr. Vahzilok’s minions². They seemed like a promising group. However, shortly after Christmas of 2004, Gangbustah and Elzbet left Paragon City. Soon after, Juno Seven retired as well, and The Hellmouth Saints quietly disbanded. While the PPD received several reports about Nol’s heroic activities over the years, Mr. Stopheles seemed to have disappeared with the rest of the Saints.

He made brief appearances during the opening of Pocket D and the celebrations marking the first and second anniversaries of the Rikti War, even dressing up for the occasion in a suit borrowed from one of Paragon City’s heroes of the Silver Age³. It was reported that the suit didn’t fit him too well, and he soon returned it to the hero (who filed a complaint that it was irreparably stretched out).

For the most part, however, Mr. Stopheles’ activities during this period are relatively unknown, but we do have a few guesses.

During his absence from Paragon City, I conducted some research into Mr. Stopheles and Hades Corp. The address on his business card led to an abandoned office building which some Hellions were illegally squatting in. They were removed and interrogated. But more troubling than their reports was the discovery of an arcane portal hidden in one of the utility closets. My contacts at M.A.G.I. have studied the portal, and from what I’ve been told, it seems certain that it leads to an infernal dimension not unlike Dante’s vision of Hell. We fear that there may be other such portals located around Paragon City, and that Mr. Stopheles is here collecting the souls of Paragon City’s most wicked denizens to boost the ranks of an infernal army. To what end? We aren’t yet sure. However, it seems certain that with him targeting more powerful villains, the time is rapidly approaching. Will this army be used in an inter-dimensional war in which we will not be more than bystanders? Or is an invasion that would put even the Rikti War to shame imminent?

In November of 2006, Mr. Stopheles resurfaced publicly, now associating himself with a Supergroup calling themselves The Paladins of the Night⁴. With his amassed power and new allies at his disposal, he has dropped the façade of a well-intentioned businessman for the most part, and donned the garb of a true Hellknight in all its glory⁵. He can still be seen in the business districts of Steel Canyon dressed as a powerful executive, as well as the gang-ridden sections of Talos Island, in the guise of a common thug. There is now little doubt in my mind that he is redoubling his recruiting efforts.

Along with the Paladins, he has confronted such archvillains as Ernesto Hess⁶, Mary Macomber⁷, and Vandal⁸. All have since disappeared. Rumor has it that Stoph has even reunited with former associate Nol⁹, and with him taken down a Kronos-class Titan. The location of the Titan is now unknown and we fear that it too may be used in the coming invasion.

It cannot be ignored that in the time since Mr. Stopheles’ return our fair city has found new peace and prosperity. Key figures in its villainous population have vanished, and formerly desolate areas have started to rebuild, most notably the village of Overbrook.

However, I find myself uneasy. Are we truly approaching a time of peace, or is this merely the calm before a storm the likes of which we haven’t seen in years?

Only Mr. Stopheles knows for sure. And true to form, he isn’t saying much.

¹ Mr. Stopheles and Elzbet of the Hellmouth Saints in action - November 2004


² Mr. Stopheles, Juno Seven, and Shambleau fighting the Circle of Thorns during Positron's Taskforce


³ Dressed for the celebration of the Second Anniversary of the Rikti War


⁴ Mr. Stopheles with members of the Paladins of the Night.

(left to right: Zsa, Prairie Dawn, Shylindra, Mr. Stopheles, Azure Soldier, Erydanus, Mrs. Nightspeed, Moonwolf)

⁵ Mr. Stopheles with Infernal. Keep an eye on these two. Statesman trusts Infernal, but I'm not certain he is wise to do so.


⁶ A security camera captured this image shortly before Hess's disappearance.


⁷ Azuria caught this glimpse of Mary Macomber moments before she vanished


⁸ The last known image of Vandal. The Council's not discussing his wherabouts, but it is nearly certain that he, too, has disappeared.


⁹ Mr. Stopheles reunited with former associate Nol. Also pictured are the hero Kuso and the villainous Lord Volf Alteron. This picture was taken at an underground "fight club" where heroes and villains regularly meet to test their skills against each other. The PPD has managed to shut down this particular cell's activity, but we are certain that more clubs like this will spring up throughout Paragon City.

(left to right: Lord Volf Alteron, Nol, Kuso, Mr. Stopheles)